Gus J. Kefurt

Company K, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd
Infantry Division

Place and date: Near Bennwihr, France, 2324 December
1944.

Entered service at: Youngstown, Ohio. Birth:
Greenville, Pa.

Medal
of Honor Citation:

He distinguished himself by conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of
duty on 23 and 24 December 1944, near Bennwihr, France.
Early in the attack S/Sgt. Kefurt jumped through an
opening in a wall to be confronted by about 15 Germans.
Although outnumbered he opened fire, killing 10 and
capturing the others. During a seesaw battle which
developed he effectively adjusted artillery fire on an
enemy tank close to his position although exposed to
small arms fire.

When night fell he maintained a 3-man outpost in the
center of the town in the middle of the German positions
and successfully fought off several hostile patrols
attempting to penetrate our lines. Assuming command of
his platoon the following morning he led it in
hand-to-hand fighting through the town until blocked by
a tank. Using rifle grenades he forced surrender of its
crew and some supporting infantry.

He then continued his attack from house to house
against heavy machinegun and rifle fire. Advancing
against a strongpoint that was holding up the company,
his platoon was subjected to a strong counterattack and
infiltration to its rear. Suffering heavy casualties in
their exposed position the men remained there due to
S/Sgt. Kefurt's personal example of bravery,
determination and leadership. He constantly exposed
himself to fire by going from man to man to direct fire.
During this time he killed approximately 15 of the enemy
at close range.

Although severely wounded in the leg he refused first
aid and immediately resumed fighting. When the forces to
his rear were pushed back 3 hours later, he refused to
be evacuated, but, during several more counterattacks
moved painfully about under intense small arms and
mortar fire, stiffening the resistance of his platoon by
encouraging individual men and by his own fire until he
was killed. As a result of S/Sgt. Kefurt's gallantry the
position was maintained.